A Weekend Full of Kids

Phillip and I got to take a few days to get away to Joplin. We had purpose in going there, but it's a fun way for just the two of us to be together as well. 

We packed up and said goodbye to the kids and spent the morning at His Place coffee shop in town. You really can't beat their biscuits and gravy! The owner told us the secret to the gravy, but I won't betray him by giving it away online. 

Phillip's been working on Restoration History lessons on the weekends, so after we had breakfast, he worked on those and I read about Calvin Coolidge for a possible upcoming project. 

Then we left for Joplin.

Elizabeth came to have pizza with us in the hotel room after she got off of work. 

It was so good to see her!

Jonathan wanted to FaceTime before she left. Boys being goofy.

We went to her two classes the next morning. This one is Timothy and Titus.

This one is Gospel of John. 

They were both excellent classes. It made me miss my Bible college days. Phillip said he enjoyed taking the class knowing he wouldn't have to type up notes or study for a test or write a paper.

Doug Welch taught Gospel of John and he started his class with an art study segment on a painting of John the Baptist. And then Elizabeth told us he doesn't give tests, but he has students write out every week what they remember. I wonder if he's familiar with Charlotte Mason? 

And he had an excellent observation from John 1:21 when John the Baptist was asked if he was Messiah or Elijah. He said, "I am not." (side note: juxtapose that with Jesus' "I Am" statements later in the gospel.)

 Mr. Welch was telling the class to make that verse ("I am not") their theme for ministry. He said, 

"Ministry doesn't pay well......

..........unless your currency is affirmation." 

Oh, how true I have found that to be! It's okay to appreciate affirmation; some of us are wired up that way. But there are a lot of pitfalls that go along with it, and ministers would do well to be aware so they can avoid them.

Anyway, great classes; I envy Liz (slightly).

We went out to lunch with Elizabeth and then went to see her parking garage art that we had not seen yet.

She had work to do, so we again went to a coffee shop to work on our projects.

And the whole reason for our trip was to meet Amos! 

We went out to brunch and spent several hours getting to know him. 

He's so great! He and Elizabeth met last summer, I believe (?). He's a youth minister in Oklahoma and works with CIY during the summers. He was raised in a homeschool family, does photography, videography, enjoys theology, and is very easy to talk to. The two of them are sweet together. We enjoyed our visit!

And then today was Youth Sunday at church where the kids and teens helped lead the service. The youth crowd that usually sits up in the balcony was asked to come down and sit in the pews, and a troop of middle school boys followed Harrison to our bench. They were well-behaved, attentive young men!

Kevin (the song leader today) had the younger kids come up on stage and lead some songs. Then Jackson Franke did an excellent job leading in some camp songs. 

I told one of the older girls that she did a good job standing up there singing, and she told me she had been embarrassed. I asked her why she stayed up there then (most of the other kids had left the stage). She said, "I wanted to encourage the little kids to stay on stage and sing." I told her I was proud of her for having courage. 

Jonathan did the communion meditation! This was his first time speaking in front of a real crowd. He spent a lot of time preparing and practicing. We were very proud of him! You can see the service at this YouTube link: Youth Service. Jonathan is at the 17:00 mark.

And Kemper Franke (the preacher's youngest son) preached for us. I think this was his first time in front of a "real" crowd also. He's given this message in shorter versions with the youth group and at camp. Another great job! 

And then the youth served us a meal for lunch and cleaned up afterward (meal service was Phoebe's part, but I did not get a picture! Sorry, Phoebes). I love that these young people get a chance to practice service and participation in all areas of the church.